The Grand FoCo Opry Recap

'Twas an AWESOME night for the ages

The Grand FoCo Opry landed on a cold January night, just ahead of a massive winter storm that would roll across the country the following evening. People arrived steadily at The Lincoln Center. No rush. No frenzy. Just familiar faces, winter coats, and a sense that this was exactly where folks wanted to be before the weather turned.

As I stood in the drink line with my brother-in-law (a guitar player and music lover who had made the drive from Dickinson, ND to watch the Broncos play in the AFC championship game) I thought to myself, "Self, this whole place feels calm." It really did. Intentional. Like a pause. A shared moment before everything outside went white and the Broncos would shit the bed.

Inspired by the spirit of old-time radio shows, the Opry brought together a wide slice of Northern Colorado’s roots music community. The idea was simple. Let the songs speak. Let the musicians trade stories. Let the room carry the rest.

Lid Dixon served as emcee for the evening. He did so with warmth and a lot of self-aware humor. He joked more than once about never having been an MC before. Those of us who caught him helping guide the flow at NoCo Sings the Holidays at The Armory knew better: he's a frickin' natural! Experience or not, Lid kept things moving with ease, wit, and genuine care for the people on stage.

The music unfolded naturally. Like a mixtape passed between friends. Robin Lewis Trio opened the night with thoughtful songwriting and a grounded presence that settled the room quickly. Sugar Britches followed with sharp honky tonk flair and playful grit. Smiles spread easily. Shoulders loosened.

Poudre Valley Playboys leaned into surf-esque upright-bass-driven "percussiveness" with confidence. Clean lines. Classic country feel. Charlie Stevens Band brought a jolt of bluegrass energy. Fast hands. Bright runs. The kind of set that pulls laughter from the crowd simply because it is that fun to watch.

Sweet Virginia shifted the mood with an acoustic guitar and rich, sultry vocals. Strong and generous. The Unwieldies brought their rich blend of indie folk, alt-country, and Americana storytelling in a way that felt perfectly placed.

Kansas Dawson delivered songs with raw honesty and a voice that carried real weight. Matt Skinner Band closed the night with depth, confidence, insane solos, velvet vocal lines, and, well, an arousal which can only be topped in the bedroom. Their set lingered. Long after the final notes rang out.

Backstage felt much like the room out front. Musicians swapped stories. Old friends reconnected. New friendships formed in hallway corners. There was a quiet sense that something meaningful had taken place. Not just for the audience, but for the community itself.

Even with the weather brewing and the world feeling heavy, people stayed. They listened. They laughed. Music did what it always does best and reminded us why these rooms matter.

The first year of the Grand FoCo Opry was a celebration of craft and collaboration. Of deep Northern Colorado roots. It felt old and new at the same time. Like the beginning of something that had been waiting to happen.

Here’s to year two.